Claude Guéant joue l'apaisement sur l'islam

LE FIGARO: Dans une interview au Monde, le ministre de l'Intérieur indique ne pas souhaiter «d'empoignades» sur la question de l'islam au cours de la campagne présidentielle.

Accusé à plusieurs reprises, en 2011, de marcher sur les terres du Front national en stigmatisant les musulmans, Claude Guéant veut calmer le jeu en 2012, année électorale cruciale. C'est le message que le ministre de l'Intérieur a voulu faire passer dans une interview au Monde, daté de mardi. «Dès avant l'été [2011], j'ai marqué mon souci que les problèmes se posant à propos de l'islam, comme les prières de rue, soient réglés bien en amont des élections présidentielle et législatives [d'avril et mai prochains]. Je ne veux pas que ce thème soit un sujet d'empoignades. Et, si ce devait être le cas, cela ne viendra certainement pas de notre formation politique», assure Claude Guéant.

Selon lui, il ne sera plus nécessaire de «légiférer de manière supplémentaire» sur le sujet, car le travail accompli par le gouvernement en 2011 a porté ses fruits. A commencer par la loi interdisant le port du voile intégral, entrée en vigueur en avril dernier. «La loi s'applique sereinement, en dépit d'incidents en petit nombre. Il nous semble que le port du voile intégral est nettement moins fréquent», juge le ministre de l'Intérieur. Même constat positif sur le débat mené en avril par l'UMP sur la laïcité et l'islam, qui a permis, selon Claude Guéant, «de rappeler ce qu'était la laïcité en France et à quel point elle devait gouverner notre vie publique». «Les musulmans se sont rendu compte que personne en France ne voulait autre chose que de les voir vivre paisiblement leur religion», ajoute encore le ministre. » | Par Jim Jarrassé | lundi 02 janvier 2012

Chinese President Hu Jintao Warns of Cultural Warfare from West

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The West is using cultural warfare to divide China, Chinese President Hu Jintao warned his Community [sic] Party on Monday.

Mr Hu called on the 80 million-plus Party members to fight "hostile international powers" and meet the "cultural demands" of the people.

"Hostile international powers are strengthening their efforts to Westernise and divide us," Mr Hu wrote in the latest edition of Communist Party's magazine, Seeking the Truth.

"We must be aware of the seriousness and complexity of the struggles and take powerful measures to prevent and deal with them," he warned in his article.

Mr Hu was writing in the revolutionary magazine used by Chairman Mao to spread his ideology after it was launched in 1958.

"The international culture of the West is strong while we are weak," Mr Hu's article said. "Ideological and cultural fields are their [western forces'] main targets," Mr Hu wrote.


He also said the Party must meet the "growing spiritual and cultural demands of the people". » | Peter Simpson in Beijing | Monday, January 02, 2012

Muslims Clash with Chinese Police Who Destroyed Mosque
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Hundreds of Muslims fought with armed police who demolished a mosque in north China, local police and a human rights group said on Monday, with several people injured in the "riot".

The violence between local Muslims and roughly 1,000 armed police began after police declared illegal a newly renovated mosque in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and moved to destroy it, the Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy, in Hong Kong, said.

The Hui are one of several Muslim minority groups in China.

Two people were killed and 50 injured after police fired tear gas and used knives and batons to beat back ethnic Hui Muslim protesters in Taoshan village, Hexi township, the rights group said, citing villagers.

Hexi township police denied any deaths when reached by telephone.

A policeman surnamed Ma confirmed that the mosque was torn down. He told AFP a "riot" occurred in Hexi on Saturday afternoon. » | Monday, January 02, 2012

Saudi Arabia to Apply Law for Women Only to Sell Lingerie
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Saudi Arabia said on Monday it will begin enforcing a law that allows only females to work in women's lingerie and apparel stores, despite disapproval from the country's top cleric.

The 2006 law banning men from working in female apparel and cosmetic stores has never been put into effect, partly because of view of hard-liners in the religious establishment, who oppose the whole idea of women working where men and women congregate together, like malls.

Saudi women - tired of having to deal with men when buying undergarments - have boycotted lingerie stores to pressure them to employ women. The government's decision to enforce the law requiring that goes into effect Thursday. » | Monday, January 02, 2012

Afghan Girl, 15, Tortured by In-laws for Resisting Prostitution

THE GUARDIAN: Case of Sahar Gul shocks Afghans, but rights activists say serious abuses against females are still common

A 15-year-old Afghan girl who was severely tortured for months by her in-laws to force her into prostitution will be sent to India for medical treatment, an Afghan official has said.

Sahar Gul's mother-in-law and sister-in-law have been arrested and her husband is being sought, said interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi on Monday.

The case has shocked Afghans, though rights activists say serious abuses against women and girls in the conservative society are common. President Hamid Karzai has said that whoever used violence against Gul will be punished.

According to officials in north-eastern Baghlan province, Gul's in-laws kept her in a basement for six months, ripped her fingernails out, tortured her with hot irons and broke her fingers. Police freed her last week after her uncle tipped them off.

The public health and women's affairs ministers visited Gul, who is in a Kabul hospital.

"It is a violent act that is unacceptable in the 21st century," Sediqi told reporters. "We are thankful [to] Sahar Gul's uncle." He added that "if the police had not arrived in time she may have died". » | AP in Kabul | Monday, January 02, 2012

Pope Benedict Calls for Peace at New Year Mass
In his New Year's Angelus, the Pontiff paid special attention to the young, many of who[m] are struggling to build a future for themselves in a time of financial crisis.

Read the short article here | Sunday, January 01, 2012

Rewarding Party Donors in the Honours System Risks Bringing System into 'Disrepute' Says Sir Christopher Kelly

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Handing knighthoods and other honours to financial backers of major political parties risks bringing the system into “disrepute” because of the suspicion of corruption, according to the standards watchdog.

Sir Christopher Kelly, the chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, was speaking after four leading Conservative donors who had collectively given the party nearly £1million were given awards in the New Year honours list.

Paul Ruddock, a hedge fund manager, and Doug Ellis, a package holiday millionaire were knighted, while James Lupton, an investment banker, and James Wates, a construction firm tycoon, were awarded CBEs in Saturday’s list.

However Labour criticised the awards, suggesting the Government was using the system to reward individuals who had been generous to the Conservative party.

Sir Christopher said that the claims showed why rules on party funding needed to be changed to prevent any suspicion that rich individuals can buy influence. The three main parties are considering proposals he submitted in November.

He told The Daily Telegraph: “For as long as you can make political donations, when there is a coincidence between honours and donors you get this sort of story.

“It implies corruption even when there isn’t any. It is unsatisfactory. It is bad all round. They risk bringing it [the honours system] into disrepute.” » | Christopher Hope, Senior Political Correspondent | Sunday, January 01, 2012

We Won't Eat Halal Meat, Say MPs and Peers Who Reject Demands to Serve It at Westminster
MAIL ON SUNDAY: Some parliamentarians have eaten meat at Westminster having been assured it was halal

The Palace of Westminster has rejected demands to serve halal meat in its restaurants.

Muslim MPs and peers have been told they cannot have meat slaughtered in line with Islamic tradition because the method – slitting an animal’s throat without first stunning it – is offensive to many of their non-Muslim colleagues.

The stance has infuriated some parliamentarians who have eaten meat in the Palace’s 23 restaurants and cafes, having been assured that it was halal.

Lord Ahmed of Rotherham said: ‘I did feel misled. I think a halal option should be made available.’

In 2010, the Mail on Sunday revealed schools, hospitals and restaurants were serving halal meat to unwitting customers. Read on and comment » | Chris Hastings | Sunday, January 01, 2012

Happy New Year! Bonne année ! Glückliches Neues Jahr! Felice anno nuovo! Feliz año nuevo! ! سنة سعيدة

Wishing you ALL a VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY & PROSPEROUS 2010, and thanking you ALL for your continued and loyal support.

Nicolas Sarkozy Becomes Angela Merkel's Tipsy Butler in YouTube Satire
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Germany's cult New Year's Eve show 'Dinner For One' – where an increasingly drunken waiter tries to keep up with the demands of his eccentric mistress – has been reworked to feature German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy as her servant.


Read the article here

New Year Honours 2012: Controversy over Honours for Conservatives’ 'Friends in the City’

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: David Cameron is facing a backlash after a millionaire businessman jailed for fraud, a former drugs dealer and a controversial Conservative Party donor appeared in today’s New Year Honours list.

The Prime Minister was accused of rewarding his party’s “friends in the City” after a knighthood was given to Paul Ruddock for services to the arts and a CBE to Gerald Ronson for his charity donations.

Mr Ruddock, a hedge fund manager, profited from the collapse of Northern Rock and donated £500,000 to the Conservatives.

His company used a practice known as “short selling” to bet on shares in the bank falling. Northern Rock subsequently failed and had to be rescued by the taxpayer.

Mr Ronson, a millionaire property developer, was convicted of theft, conspiracy and accounting fraud following the Guinness scandal in 1990.

He served six months of a one-year sentence and has always denied any wrongdoing.

The business tycoon, whose company built the tallest skyscraper in the City of London, has since given much of his fortune to charity. His wife also recently received an honour.

The Cabinet Office refused to confirm whether the honour was the first senior award to be given to someone who has been convicted of a crime. » | Rowena Mason, and Robert Winnett | Saturday, December 31, 2011

What a load of sh** the New Year's Honours List is! It should be scrapped. It is BS from start to finish. Is this man a former member of the Bullington Club, I wonder? Cameron is looking sleazier by the minute. – © Mark

This comment also appears here

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: New Year Honours 2012: full list of recipients – Here is a full list of recipients of the New Year Honours 2012. » | Saturday, December 31, 2011

Islam’s War on Christmas
FRONTPAGEMAG.COM: ‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through Nigeria, not a creature was stirring except for the members of the militant Islamic sect Boko Haram, preparing to bomb Christian churches across the country and setting on fire the cars of worshippers inside a church just outside of Damaturu, the capital of Yobe state.

Christmastime in the United States now brings with it a new tradition that is becoming as familiar as eggnog, mistletoe, and the Macy’s Parade: skirmishes in the ongoing cultural war on Christmas. But as the recent attacks in Nigeria prove, in Muslim lands around the world there is also a very real and very violent war on Christmas, or more specifically on Christians themselves minding their own business in peaceful celebration of the birth of Jesus.

In Iraq, for example, all Christian services and masses were scheduled for daylight hours. Why? “Midnight Christmas Mass has been canceled in Baghdad, Mosul and Kirkuk as a consequence of the never-ending assassinations of Christians,” bluntly stated Chaldean Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk in northern Iraq. In Egypt, where we are witnessing the outright, state-assisted genocide of the dwindling Coptic Christian population, churches were also threatened with violence. Christian prisoners in Pakistan, incarcerated for such crimes as blasphemy against Islam, were refused Christmas Day visits from their families. Read on and comment » | Mark Tapson | Friday, December 30, 2011

The Ongoing Trafficking of Homosexual Sex Slaves from Africa to the Middle East
JIHAD WATCH: It probably comes as no surprise to Jihad Watch's regular readers that certain countries in the Middle East continue to traffic in slaves from Africa, with the authorities either indifferent or as willing accomplices. While we've written on this before, there's now a novel twist. According to a recent media report, homosexual men in Kenya are lured to certain Middle Eastern countries with the false promises of lucrative legitimate employment, only to find themselves in involuntary servitude of the worse kind--as chattel and sex slaves of rich families and individuals. Remember, in Arabic the word for 'black' and 'slave' is the same: abed.

Islamic supremacists constantly lambaste the supposedly 'immoral' West for permitting homosexuality and even legalizing gay marriage in some jurisdictions -- homosexuality is in fact a capital crime in five Muslim-controlled countries. But these same supremacists, along with every Muslim government, hypocritically and blatantly ignore the ongoing Muslim trafficking of homosexuals (and others) for the explicit and sole purpose of sex. Read on and comment » | Posted by The Anti-Jihadist | December 30, 2011

Syrian Forces Fire 'Nail Bombs' as Masses Protest
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Syrian forces were accused of firing nail bombs to disperse protesters as tens of thousands of people flooded streets to make their voices heard to Arab monitors.

Protesters called for the removal and prosecution of President Bashar al-Assad, whose autocratic regime has been blamed for the deaths of more than 5,000 people since pro-reform protests erupted in March.

Activists urged monitors, who started this week a mission to implement an Arab League peace plan, to protect civilians from the regime's wrath.

"We urge you to make a clear distinction between the assassin and the victim," activists of the Syrian Revolution 2011 said in a statement posted on their Facebook page.

"Our revolution which was launched nine months ago is peaceful," they said.

The death toll rose again Friday, with at least five civilians killed by gunfire as Syrian forces dispersed crowds of protesters around the country, while four people died in an ambush by government troops, a watchdog said. » | Friday, December 30, 2011

Maldives Orders Ban of All Spas after Islamist Prostitution Claim
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Maldives government has ordered all spas in resorts to be closed after protests by an Islamist party which claimed they were being used as a front for prostitution.

The tourism ministry told all resort hotels across the islands to shut their spas and health centres with immediate effect.

"An Islamic party has been agitating against spas hoping to embarrass the government," a senior government figure told the AFP news agency.

Last week the opposition Adhaalath party, a conservative religious movement, staged a protest in the capital Male against such spas, arguing that they were being used as brothels. The party's website features an article criticising "lustful music".

Tourism is crucial for the economy of the Maldives, and the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry said the ban would harm the economy.

Popular with honeymooning couples and celebrities, luxury rooms in resorts on the islands can cost up to $12,000 (£7,748) a day. » | Barney Henderson | Friday, December 30, 2011

North Korea Attacks 'Foolish Politicians around the World'
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Any hopes that North Korea may soften its rhetoric under Kim Jong-un were dashed overnight, as Pyongyang released an uncompromising message to foreign powers.


“We declare solemnly and confidently that the foolish politicians around the world, including the puppet group in South Korea, should not expect any change from us,'' the country’s powerful National Defence Commission, or NDC, announced in a statement read out in strident tones by a state television anchor on Friday.

North Korea propaganda routinely refers to South Korea as a “puppet” of the United States.
The statement, the first on North-South relations since Kim Jong-il's memorial ceremonies ended, added that the North would never deal with the “traitor group” of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.

The conservative Lee ditched his two predecessors’ decade-long “Sunshine Policy” of pro-North engagement, and halted all tours to the joint North-South tourism resort at Mount Kumgang – a significant cash cow for Pyongyang – after the shooting of a South Korean tourist there by a North Korean soldier in 2008.

And following 2010’s North Korean naval and military attacks that killed 50 South Koreans, Lee halted most humanitarian aid and all high-level contact with the North.

The NDC also criticised the Lee administration for not sending a national delegation to Kim Jong-il's funeral. » | Andrew Salmon in Seoul | Friday, December 30, 2011

THE GUARDIAN: North Korea warns the world: no change in policy under Kim Jong-un – Defence commission sends uncompromising message to 'foolish politicians including the puppet forces in South Korea' ¶ Hopes for a new era of engagement with North Korea have faded after the country's powerful defence commission warned the world not to expect a change in policy under its new leader, Kim Jong-un. ¶ The announcement broadcast by the state-run Korean Central News Agency on Friday, effectively dashed hopes that Kim might be ready to engage with South Korea and the wider international community. ¶ In comments attributed to the national defence commission, the agency said "foolish politicians" should expect no change in policy and threatened South Korea's conservative president, Lee Myung-bak, with a "sea of fire". » | Justin McCurry in Osaka | Friday, December 30, 2011

King of Spain's Son-in-law Summoned in Embezzlement Case

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The King of Spain's son-in-law was on Thursday summoned to testify in a widening fraud and embezzlement scandal that threatens to damage the credibility of the country's royal family.

Inaki Urdangarin, 43, a former Olympic athlete who carries the title Duke of Palma, will face court as part of an investigation into accusations that a non-profit organisation he ran was siphoning off funds from the regional government of the Balearic Islands – Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.

The Noos Institute, which the duke ran from 2004 to 2006, is accused of misusing millions of euros in public funds.

The case has made the front pages of Spanish newspapers for weeks, but a judge's decision to name Mr Urdangarin as a formal suspect took the scandal to a new level.

The former handball player, who is married to King Juan Carlos's younger daughter, Princess Cristina, will have to appear in court in Palma, the capital of Majorca, on Feb 6.
He has not been charged with any crime and denies any wrongdoing.

But the ex-sportsman, who represented his country at three Olympic Games, apologised publicly this month for the embarrassment his legal problems were causing the royals. » | Nick Squires in Rome | Thursday, December 29, 2011

Aisha Gaddafi Claims Severe Emotional Distress at Images of Father's Execution

THE GUARDIAN: Israeli lawyer Nick Kaufman is demanding an investigation into circumstances surrounding the death of Gaddafi

The daughter of the former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has hired an Israeli lawyer to petition the international criminal court [sic] to investigate the circumstances of the death of her father.

Aisha Gaddafi, who fled Libya in August before the capture and killing of her father by opposition forces, claims to have been caused "severe emotional distress" by the images of his death and the treatment of his body.

Nick Kaufman, a former senior prosecutor at the ICC and now an international lawyer based in Jerusalem, wrote to the ICC prosecutor Jose Luis Moreno-Ocampo earlier this month to demand an immediate investigation.

Gaddafi and his son Mutassim, Aisha's brother, "were murdered in the most horrific fashion with their bodies thereafter displayed and grotesquely abused in complete defiance of Islamic law. The images of this savagery were broadcast throughout the world causing my client severe emotional distress," said the letter, which has been seen by the Guardian. » | Harriet Sherwood in Jerusalem | Thursday, December 29, 2011

Vatican's Official Newspaper Says Science Cannot Explain Turin Shroud
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Vatican's official newspaper has given strong endorsement to research by Italian scientists which suggests that the Turin Shroud cannot be a medieval fake and may be the authentic burial cloth of Christ.

"For science, the shroud continues to be an 'impossible object' – impossible to falsify," L'Osservatore Romano said in a lengthy article on Thursday.

After conducting five years of advanced laser experiments, a team of experts from Enea, the National Agency for New Technologies and Energy, concluded that the imprint of a bearded man's face and crucified body could not be reproduced by modern scientific techniques.

The 14-ft-long, 3.5-ft-wide cloth was therefore not a medieval fake, the team said.
They concluded that the iconic image was created by "some form of electromagnetic energy (such as a flash of light at short wavelength)".

The researchers presented their results with "extreme caution" and had stopped short of putting forward theories that "strayed from science", the Vatican daily said.

But the implication of their work was that the enigmatic marks on the cloth were created at the moment of Christ's Resurrection by some sort of miracle. » | Nick Squires, Rome | Thursday, December 29, 2011

Church Bombings Are Declaration of War, Say Nigerian Christians
THE GUARDIAN: Head of Christian group criticises Muslim leaders and government for failing to intervene after series of deadly attacks

Christian leaders in Nigeria have accused Muslims of making a "declaration of war" after a series of fatal attacks, raising fears of sectarian conflict.

Islamist militants targeted churches in a series of explosions on Christmas Day, leaving more than 40 people dead and dozens wounded. On Tuesday a Christian couple and their one-year-old baby were shot dead.

Stirring tensions further, on the same day unknown attackers lobbed a crude homemade bomb into an Islamic school in Delta state, wounding seven people including six children in an Arabic class.

Nigeria is largely divided into a Muslim north and Christian south, although members of the two faiths live everywhere across the country, do business together and intermarry.

With the shadowy Islamist sect Boko Haram stepping up deadly attacks in recent months, Christian leaders have warned that they will take action to protect themselves. » | David Smith in Johannesburg | Thursday, December 29, 2011